A few days later, at the home of the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The old man, who had only just laid down his heavy burden and was exhausted in both body and mind, had his grandson Konohamaru invite Naruto over.
Soft light filled the study.
The Third sat behind his desk, watching the boy walk in.
Naruto had changed into a brand-new Konoha jonin uniform.
He wore a blue undershirt beneath the signature green jonin vest, with his forehead protector tied neatly across his forehead.
The outfit made him look less boyish and more composed and capable.
The Third stared, lost in thought. Tears glimmered faintly in his eyes, and his voice was filled with emotion.
"I never imagined you would become a jonin so soon."
Naruto nodded.
"Yes, Lord Third. What did you want to see me about?"
The Third took a scroll from his sleeve.
"I heard from Jiraiya that you were looking for this."
"This scroll was passed down from my great-grandfather's generation. Back then, because a member of the Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, the Senju and Sarutobi clans decided to join forces against the Uchiha."
"This is an account of that battle. But the Uchiha known as Nameless was too powerful. We couldn't kill her, so we could only seal her away."
Naruto took the scroll and opened it.
It recorded where Uchiha Hikari had been sealed and her performance on the battlefield.
"Although I don't know where you learned of her existence, I hope you can look for Tsunade along the way."
Naruto hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"All right."
Scroll in hand, Naruto turned to leave.
When he reached the study door and put his hand on the handle, he stopped.
He did not turn around. He merely tilted his face slightly, casting one